"Your original reservation was altered by someone in customer relations. The second assignment was approved manually."
"Who authorized it?"
"Peter Lawson."
"Do we know why?"
"We're still investigating. But there's evidence of payments from Whitmore Global Consulting."
Tyler looked toward Vanessa.
She was collecting her handbag and preparing to leave.
"Does Vanessa know?"
"Not yet."
"Don't make assumptions. We need evidence connecting every person involved."
Michael continued.
"There's another issue. The company has been receiving complaints about employees using their access privileges to accommodate high-value customers."
Tyler's expression hardened.
"How many complaints?"
"At least seventeen in the last six months."
"Why wasn't I informed?"
"They were classified as isolated customer service incidents."
Tyler looked out of the window.
"Then we have a much bigger problem than one seat."
He ended the call.
Robert approached.
"Everything all right, sir?"
Tyler nodded.
"No. But we'll make it right."
The following Monday, Vanessa arrived at American Crown's headquarters.
She wore a navy designer suit and carried a leather briefcase.
Her assistant had prepared a presentation outlining the benefits of the proposed partnership.
She expected to meet Michael Grant and several department executives.
Instead, when she entered the conference room, she found Tyler sitting at the head of the table.
He was wearing a dark suit.
The gray hoodie from the flight was nowhere to be seen.
But his expression was exactly the same.
Calm.
Focused.
Unimpressed by appearances.
Vanessa stopped.
"Mr. Brooks."
"Good morning, Ms. Whitmore."
She sat down slowly.
Michael Grant entered with two legal representatives.
Tyler opened the meeting.
"Before we discuss the partnership, I want to address the incident on Flight 728."
Vanessa forced a smile.
"Of course. I understand there was some confusion."
Michael placed a folder on the table.
"These are the reservation records."
Vanessa looked at the papers.
Tyler continued.
"My seat assignment was changed twice without authorization from my office. The second booking was connected to your company's reservation."
Vanessa frowned.
"I had nothing to do with that."
"We haven't established your involvement," Tyler replied. "That's why we're reviewing the evidence."
Michael turned a page.
"However, financial records show several payments from Whitmore Global Consulting to an airline employee responsible for reservation overrides."
Vanessa's expression changed.
"That's ridiculous."
"Do you recognize the name Peter Lawson?"
"No."
"Has your company ever paid him?"
"Absolutely not."
One of the legal representatives spoke.
"We have documentation showing three transfers to an account associated with Mr. Lawson."
Vanessa looked at her assistant.
Her assistant stared at the table.
"Where did those payments come from?" Vanessa demanded.
The assistant hesitated.
"I... I was instructed to process them as consulting expenses."
"By whom?"
The room became silent.
Tyler leaned forward.
"That's precisely what we're trying to establish."
Vanessa's assistant, Rachel Morgan, had worked for her for nearly four years.
She knew how the company operated.
She also knew that Vanessa often expected employees to follow instructions without asking questions.
But Rachel had not expected the reservation investigation to uncover the payments.
Tyler turned toward her.
"Rachel, you don't need to guess. If you have information, please tell us what you know."
Vanessa immediately interrupted.
"She has nothing to do with this."
Rachel looked at her employer.
For a moment, she seemed frightened.
Then she opened her handbag and removed a small folder.
"I have copies of the payment requests."
Vanessa's face went pale.
"Rachel, what are you doing?"
"I'm sorry, Ms. Whitmore."
Rachel placed the folder on the table.
"The payments were approved by your office."
Vanessa shook her head.
"That's not true."
Rachel continued.
"You told me that the airline needed to prioritize certain customers before the partnership announcement. You said we needed to establish a relationship with the customer relations department."
"I never instructed you to bribe anyone!"
Rachel's eyes filled with tears.
"You told me to use the consulting account."
Vanessa stood.
"This meeting is over."
Tyler remained seated.
"Ms. Whitmore, you are free to leave. But the investigation will continue."
Vanessa grabbed her briefcase.
"You cannot treat me like a criminal."
Tyler looked directly at her.
"We are not treating you like anything. We are examining the facts."
She stormed out.
Rachel remained seated, visibly shaken.
Tyler turned toward her.
"Thank you for cooperating. The legal team will explain the next steps."
Rachel nodded.
For the first time in years, she felt that someone in a position of power had listened to her without immediately dismissing her concerns.
After the meeting, Michael asked Tyler why he had been traveling alone.